About the coverThe toys our children play with are for more than just entertainment. When childrenplay, they can express natural abilities that grow into talents and shape their futurecareer interests. Robotics represents the essential elements of mechatronic systems,the same systems found in modern jet engines, wind turbines and even the commonautomobile. The robot depicted is Qwerk from Charledlabs.com. Special thanks to L3in Waco, Texas. Photograph by Mark B